Yellow River Bridge Trail in the North Unit of Effigy Mounds National Monument

Length: .6 mile round trip (1 mile round trip with detour to a group of Indian mounds)
Time:  20 minutes (add another 15 minutes for the trip to the mounds)
Difficulty: Boardwalk trail is easy. Hike to the mounds is moderate.

The Yellow River Bridge Trail is a short scenic trail that begins at the back of the Effigy Mounds National Monument Visitor Center. Follow the paved sidewalk to the trailhead and enjoy the nice view of the Mississippi River along the way.

View of the Mississippi River from the rear of the Effigy Mounds National Monument Visitor Center

Start of the Yellow River Bridge Trail near the Effigy Mounds National Monument Visitor Center

The Yellow River Bridge Trail is a boardwalk that is wheelchair accessible. However, there is a slope to it, so those in wheelchairs either need to have good upper body strength, an electric wheelchair, or somebody to help push the chair along the trail.

Yellow River Bridge Trail boardwalk in the North Unit of Effigy Mounds National Monument

The trail passes through a swampy area and has views of Buffalo Pond, which was nearly covered over by yellow vegetation of some sort when I visited. Regardless, it is still a pretty sight.

View of Buffalo Pond from the Yellow River Bridge Trail in the North Unit of Effigy Mounds National Monument

Swampy area along the Yellow River Bridge Trail in the North Unit of Effigy Mounds National Monument

Halfway down the trail is a detour to a linear and a conical Indian mound. The .2-mile trail is a grass path that heads up a moderately steep hill, so needless to say, it is not wheelchair accessible. If you have seen other mounds in the park, there is no reason to take the side trip to the mound group, so just stick to the boardwalk. If you have not yet seen a mound and decide to make the hike up the hill, be prepared to be underwhelmed. Most of the mounds in the park have been so whittled down by erosion that they are barely noticeable. Even the mounds that are large enough to stand out on the landscape are nothing more than small hills.

Detour from the Yellow River Bridge Trail to two Indian mounds in Effigy Mounds National Monument

Mounds near the Yellow River Bridge Trail in the North Unit of Effigy Mounds National Monument

Types of mounds at Effigy Mounds National Monument

The Yellow River Bridge is just around the corner from the turnoff for the mound group. From the bridge are nice views of the Yellow River to the east and west. To the east you can see the Highway 76 bridge over the Yellow River. Just beyond it is the Mississippi River, though you can’t see it from here.

Yellow River Bridge near the Visitor Center at Effigy Mounds National Monument

View of the Yellow River east of the Yellow River Bridge, Effigy Mounds National Monument

View of the Yellow River west of the Yellow River Bridge, Effigy Mounds National Monument

The Yellow River Bridge Trail ends just over the bridge. Once done taking in the views, head back the way you came. The round trip shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes.

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